This page gives insight into who Resort Garden's founders are and why Resort Gardens is so special to them. They’re brothers Jim and Scott Hotchkiss – and below you’ll find brief bios for each of them:
Jim has 30 years of health care management experience – with a second career and culinary training at Johnson and Wales University in Miami, Florida. He plans to use his culinary skills in Resort Gardens’ bed and breakfast by serving small groups and teaching culinary arts fundamentals.
Scott’s been practicing family medicine in Petoskey for 27 years. He’s also had a life-long passion for outdoors and horticulture. Inspired by his master’s gardening classes, Scott recognizes Resort Gardens’ location as the perfect microclimate for fruit production.
Together the brothers are using their love of outdoor beauty, horticulture and food to develop this plan for their northern Michigan community - Resort Gardens.
Their plan is to integrate residence, horticulture and hospitality at Resort Gardens. It calls for a centerpiece six-guestroom bed and breakfast - surrounded by six residential lots for sale. Their private, circular interior road provides unprecedented panoramic views of Little Traverse Bay. A natural green space buffer surrounds their community to both the west and north. Walking trails are also planned throughout shared common areas.
They're excited to provide low-impact organic and traditional horticultural methods with an orchard boasting 450 apple trees (which were planted in May, 2007). An additional 300 dwarf trees are trained on a trellis system unique to Emmet County. 1100 canes of hardy Canadian red raspberries (served by a high efficiency drip irrigation system) are already producing highly bountiful crops. And they’re testing other fruits including tart cherries, sweet cherries and pears. Their site is also approved for a small vineyard.
Their intimate community of six select home sites offers ambience of both beauty and bounty. Their theme of earth-toned craftsman style cottages and Victorian homes create a harmonious environment – coupling traditional beauty with the efficiency and sustainability needed for the future. Select the following link for a more detailed blueprint of their community.
